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Putin says he was ill at ease with protocol on Britain visit
Moscow, June 29: Russian President Vladimir Putin returned home from a historic state visit to Britain admitting that the rigid British protocol sometimes put him ill at ease, the Interfax news agency has reported.
Moscow, June 29: Russian President Vladimir Putin returned home from a historic state visit to Britain admitting that the rigid British protocol sometimes put him ill at ease, the Interfax news agency has reported.
The pomp of protocol "is nicer to look at from outside, because when one participates in it, it presents certain difficulties," said Putin yesterday, who nevertheless called visit - during which London and Moscow officially buried their differences over the Iraq war - fruitful.
The Russian President admitted donning a tuxedo for the first time during the trip, the first of its kind in 129 years.
"I can't say that I liked it, it is not very comfortable," he said.
But Putin said that he did enjoy some of the pomp, especially a ride through downtown London in a carriage with Queen Elizabeth.
Putin and his wife Lyudmila spent four days at Buckingham Palace as personal guests of Queen Elizabeth II, one of the highest honours granted to a foreign leader, in the first such state visit from Russia since 1874.
The President, who speaks fluent German, said he made an effort to speak in English when expressing condolences to the British over soldiers killed during the war in Iraq.
"It wasn't easy," said Putin, who said he practices English for 15-20 minutes each day to "relax."
Putin said that he held numerous informal discussions during the four-day visit, including with Prime Minister Tony Blair, encounters that "offered opportunities to make clear one's positions and to better understand one's partners.”
Bureau Report
The Russian President admitted donning a tuxedo for the first time during the trip, the first of its kind in 129 years.
"I can't say that I liked it, it is not very comfortable," he said.
But Putin said that he did enjoy some of the pomp, especially a ride through downtown London in a carriage with Queen Elizabeth.
Putin and his wife Lyudmila spent four days at Buckingham Palace as personal guests of Queen Elizabeth II, one of the highest honours granted to a foreign leader, in the first such state visit from Russia since 1874.
The President, who speaks fluent German, said he made an effort to speak in English when expressing condolences to the British over soldiers killed during the war in Iraq.
"It wasn't easy," said Putin, who said he practices English for 15-20 minutes each day to "relax."
Putin said that he held numerous informal discussions during the four-day visit, including with Prime Minister Tony Blair, encounters that "offered opportunities to make clear one's positions and to better understand one's partners.”
Bureau Report